CONNECTED futURES:
ACTION RESEARCH FOR BLACKPOOL PARTNERSHIP
Theory of Change | Evaluation | Rapid Cycle Design and Testing
Youth Futures Foundation Renaisi
Connected Futures is a £16m programme that seeks to change the journey from education to employment for young people facing exclusion and disadvantage. It aims to support the development of local approaches to youth employment that put young people at the heart of the system, from schools and employers to housing, health and care. Blackpool is one of several areas funded by the Youth Futures Foundation to embark on systemic changes to reduce the numbers of young people not in education, employment or training (NEET).
The need
Blackpool has a persistently high level (10%) of young people who are NEET, and years of attempts to address these through a narrow focus on academic achievement have not been successful. In addition, there has been a sharp rise in the number of Electively Home Educated (EHE) students since the pandemic: the outcomes for this group appears to be poor, but very little is known about their experiences and support. There are many examples of good initiatives supporting young people, but there are many that fall through the cracks. However, the persistent nature of the challenges have catalysed the Blackpool Connected Futures (CF) to form, driven by ambition and belief in the potential of the town and a shared understanding that there is a need for things to be done differently to change the outcomes for young people in a meaningful way.
Our response
Together with Renaisi, we are using Participatory Action Research to co-create a systemic Theory of Change that accurately reflects and addresses Blackpool’s system of support for young people. We’re supporting learning through Rapid Cycle Design Testing approach and developing an options appraisal for evaluation of prioritised activities.